First Debate: Malloy Apologizes to Teachers, Needles Foley

Norwich –- Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Tom Foley spent a fast-paced hour in their first debate tonight straining to make the race for governor turn on questions of each other’s records, Malloy’s as governor and Foley’s as a businessman.

In a sweltering theater at Norwich Free Academy, the Democratic incumbent and Republican challenger played a punishing game of serve and volley, riffing for more than 10 minutes at one point in response to a single question on gun control.

Malloy, who seldom publicly acknowledges regret or mistakes, apologized to teachers, whom he insulted three years ago by saying tenure could be won simply by showing up.

“I should admit that was bad language,” said Malloy, who was greeted before the debate by rallying unions members, including the president of AFT-Connecticut. “I shouldn’t have said it. I apologize for saying it.